South Eugene High School

Graduation Coordinator: Eric Elligott 541-790-8010

2025 Senior Graduation Meeting Presentation

WHEN & WHERE
The Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony will take place in Silva Concert Hall at Hult Center for the Performing Arts at 7:00pm, Monday, June 9, 2025. The venue address is 1 Eugene Center, Eugene, OR 97401
 

GRADUATION REHEARSAL – ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY

Graduation rehearsal will be held the morning of Monday, June 9.

Graduates must arrive in the courtyard at the Studio entrance (see photo below) and be in their lines on the stairs by 8:55am for a prompt 9:00am start. If you do not know your seat/row number, please arrive by 8:45 to check in with a staff member. 

Rehearsal will begin with practicing the Processional from the courtyard, through the hall onto the stage. When graduates are seated, we will go over expectations & all the details of how the ceremony will go. We will finish with practicing the Recessional (how we leave the stage at the end of the ceremony), and may repeat the Processional if time allows.

*You do not need your cap & gown for rehearsal*

Rehearsal is MANDATORY; there are no exceptions. Graduates must be present at rehearsal in order to participate in the evening ceremony. Rehearsal should be expected to last about two hours, with performers & speakers staying at the end to rehearse their pieces.

(The purple circle indicates the stairs down to the courtyard, where seniors will line up for the processional [northward from 7th Ave.])

Graduates have the afternoon to get ready, then must be back at the Hult Center to check in at The Studio no later than 6:00pm and get set for the class photo at 6:15pm. ***Please allow yourself plenty of time to find parking so that you can make it to check in on time.***

FROM THE HULT CENTER

What to Expect - Secure Entry

Magnetometers

At the Hult Center, we prioritize your safety. To ensure a secure environment, we have installed state-of-the-art Evolv Magnetometers at all guest entrances. These walk-through metal detectors are powered by an AI-driven system, utilizing safe, ultra-low frequency electromagnetic fields and advanced sensors to detect concealed weapons and contraband.

You may already be familiar with these systems, as they are in place at other venues around Eugene, including the McDonald Theater and Cuthbert Amphitheatre.

Entering the Hult Center

When you arrive at the Hult Center, simply walk through the entrance doors in small groups or single file and follow the instructions of our dedicated Crowd Access Stewards. Patrons carrying items that trigger an alert in the detection system will be asked to stop by the Resolution Table for a brief bag check. It is very helpful to remove umbrellas, eyeglass cases and large devices like tablets and hold them in your hand as you pass through the Evolv system.

If you have any concerns about walking through the metal detectors, such as having a pacemaker or other implanted medical device, we recommend arriving a few minutes early to request alternative screening. You can also arrange for separate screening ahead of time by contacting Louise Thomas-Vails, Hult Center Director of Guest Experience, at lthomas@eugene-or.gov.

Students who process through the exit-only southern-most doors on the west side of the building will not pass through Evolv. All guests and other attendees must pass through Evolv at a regular door.

Please Leave These Items at Home

For the safety and enjoyment of all patrons, we kindly ask that you do not bring the following items:

• Weapons of any kind, including pocketknives larger than a keychain knife (ORS 166.370), pepper spray, brass knuckles, batons
• Drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Absolutely no airhorns, bullhorns, or other noise-making devices
• Balloons, posters and signs larger than 11”x17”
• Outside food and drink
• Vaporizers and e-cigarettes may remain in your bag or pockets unless they are used in the hall or restrooms. At that point, they must be removed from the venue.

During the Event

To ensure everyone's safety and comfort during the performance, we have a few important guidelines:

• Please keep the aisles clear of belongings and people to reduce tripping hazards and maintain clear emergency evacuation routes.
• Bags and purses should fit on your lap or under your seat (approximately 12”x12”x4”). Alternatively, you can utilize our complimentary coat check service.

Your cooperation in adhering to these security measures helps create a safe and enjoyable experience for all our patrons.

CAP & GOWN GUIDELINES
The purple South Eugene cap & gown set must be worn for the graduation ceremony. All graduating seniors should have purchased a cap & gown by now, or informed Eric of their alternate arrnagements. South does have a limited supply of caps & gowns, which may be borrowed for the ceremony by advance arrangement only.

This year, seniors will be able to decorate their caps if they so choose.  All cap decorations must be school-appropriate and only 2-dimensional (no building up or out).  No decorations of any kind should stick up on top or hang below the mortarboard. Mortarboards should be worn parallel to the ground.  

Graduation gowns must be worn correctly, with fronts fully zipped over school-appropriate clothing. Administrators may check under gowns if they suspect inappropriate dress or items that do not belong on the graduation stage, such as noisemakers, beach balls, or other props.

Honor cords, stoles, medals, and pins are provided through the school or district and must be approved by the school administration. Culturally- significant regalia is permitted. Culturally-significant regalia include ceremonial accessories or attire that are significant to the graduate’s culture as a whole and appropriate to that culture’s traditional rites of passage. This does not include items that are of personal significance to the graduate. School-appropriate jewelry and items of personal significance may be worn in a way that does not detract from the uniform appearance of the cap and gown.  Students are encouraged to address any questions regarding cap, gown, or graduation with SEHS administrators well prior to graduation should questions arise. 

How to Dress for Graduation

 

ACCESSIBILITY – ***New Process 6/2/25***

Please fill out this NEW  Hult Center Accessibility/Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the Hult Center for any accessibility needs or accommodation requests. You can visit The Hult Center or Performing Arts Accessibility page for more information on the facility and their services. Eric will forward accessbility requests from the lottery form to the Hult Center box office.

GRADUATION TICKETS

Eric is working as hard as he can to get graduation tickets allocated!

***Everyone who put in a request before the deadline has been allocated up to 2 additional tickets***

Seniors must go to the main office to get these extra tickets from Eric by the end of the day on Tuesday, June 3rd. Tickets that have not been picked up by that time will be redistributed. 

Some grads will receive more than 2 tickets in the lottery, but we cannot yet project who/how many. Stay tuned for messaging, and please contact Eric if you no longer need the number of tickets you originally requested or have tickets to return...you'll be somebody's hero!

• Seating in your ticketed section is first-come, first-served within your ticketed section—no reservations can be made.
• Silva Hall doors open at 6:15pm for ticketed guests. 
• Lost or stolen tickets cannot be replaced; tickets should be stored in a safe place immediately after pick-up.

***The ticket lottery has closed***

GRADUATION PARTY
The Senior Graduation Party is not a school sponsored event. Organized by South parents in collabortation with Friends of South, a graduation party will be held on the night of graduation. The long-standing tradition provides a safe space for graduates to gather and celebrate for the final night as high school students. 

2025 Senior Graduation Party Website - buy party tickets, donate, and buy yard signs

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Sign up to volunteer at the Graduation Party: Sign Up HERE

Come volunteer & help our seniors celebrate!  This is the last time all seniors will be together.  Adult family & friends are invited to volunteer. 

There are a variety of jobs and shifts.  You don't need to stay for the whole time.  Click on the sign up genius link for more details and to sign up!

If you're unable to volunteer, please consider donating, buying a ticket, or buying a yard sign to show your support.  Graduation Party Website

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GRAD NIGHT PARTY

Theme: The Breakfast Club

Location: UO Rec Center

Date & Time: June 9th | 10 PM – 3 AM

Tickets: $30 General | $15 for Free/Reduced Lunch

Purchase via QR Code on flyer

YARD SIGNS – $20

All profits go directly toward Grad Night.

Pick-Up Dates & Locations:

• Thurs, May 15 | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | East SEHS Parking Lot
• Wed, May 22 | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | East SEHS Parking Lot
• Thurs, May 29 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM | SEHS Gym (Senior Recognition Night)

Let’s make this final celebration one to remember for our seniors!

Thank you for your support!

Grad Yard Sign:

Many Thanks to Natasha Pangburn for designing this sign!